Tag Archives: Jesus

Revelation 4 and 5

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Revelation

These two chapters in the Book of Revelation are like a corner on the same block in a city. We go from a description of heaven to eventualities; i.e. from what is to what will be. The significance of what is in the throne room of “the one who sits on that throne” (Revelation 4:2b & 3) is a given conclusion if we also read 5:13b… “To him who sits on the throne AND to the Lamb”. This is a plural statement and we know the Lamb of God is Jesus (John 1:29). This means the only other remaining being of throne-worthiness is God the Father. We do not have to speculate much as to what and who John initially describes in verse 3. The real significance is that John is in the presence of the greatest.

What each of the described beings or objects in and around the throne room is subject to someone’s interpretation. The caution? Be careful about assigning a perception to a given or a doctrinal plank. What might be perceived as correct is sometimes taken to extremes or speculation. We see these extremes that may be mentioned but once or twice in scripture becoming dogmatic practices is supposedly Christ-centered churches. The above is my disclaimer for chapter 4 and 5 with full knowledge of Col 2:8.  “Be sure you are not led away by the teaching of those who have nothing worth saying and only plan to deceive you. That teaching is not from Christ. It is only human tradition and comes from the powers that influence this world.” (ERV)Tribulation graph

Chapter 4 begins with John receiving an open invitation to witness what is in the throne room of heaven. Whether this is what we as the redeemed will witness when we get to heaven is speculative. I say this because John does not indicate there is a presence of others who have been redeemed or of seeing any of the Old Testament saints. Significant to John and our studies, it includes an offer to also “see what will be” via the scroll and Seven Seals. We detail this when we get to chapter 6 of Revelation.

To many it is difficult to keep the Seals, Trumpets and Vials (bowls) straight. Dale Carnegie teaches that the best way to commit something to memory is by association. I keep the order straight by connecting these three events to the alphabet; Seals (S), Trumpets (T), then Vials (V); S comes before T and T comes before V. I will repeat this in a later article, but it is the 7th Trumpet that opens the delivery of the Vial (bowls) contents.

The opening verses in chapter 4 set the stage for John’s anticipation or excitement of something he knows is exclusive. A poor but perhaps helpful analogyTeen girl with planet earth. would be like anyone anticipating a long dreamed of trip or vacation (keep this thought in mind as 5:4 refers back to this anticipation). We sent many of our dreams on this trip, just as did John when he was told to “come up here” in 4:1.

The next few verses in chapter 4 are symbolic and great discussion points. However, any dogmatic conclusion would be speculative. 24 elders and who they are or represent; the white clothing and individual crowns; lightning and thunder; the *7 lamps – even though we are told these represent the 7 spirits of God (but what are they?); the rainbow; the crystal sea; **the four living creatures and their being covered with eyes; the representation or reason for the six wings on each creature. The true underlying message in this passage is their continual praising; “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,” who was, and is, and is to come (NIV). This triggers a response by the 24 elders (V9-11). It also defines the eternal existence of the God-head; was, and is, and is to come. It also parallels what will happen to creation upon the 2nd advent of Jesus Christ (“Every eye will see” (NIV; Revelation 1:7).

*The “seven spirits of God” are mentioned in Revelation 1:4; 3:1; 4:5; and 5:6. The seven spirits of God are not specifically identified. It is therefore impossible to be dogmatic. Revelation 1:4 mentions that the seven spirits are before God’s throne. Revelation 3:1 indicates that Jesus Christ “holds” the seven spirits of God. Revelation 4:5 links the seven spirits of God with seven burning lamps that are before God’s throne. Revelation 5:6 identifies the seven spirits with the “seven eyes” of the Lamb and states that they are “sent out into all the earth.”

** The four living creatures: Here we find something that “looks like” a Lion, an ox sometimes described as a calf, a face like a man, a flying eagle. Without speculating too much, go back to the Tribes of Israel and their wandering encampments around the Tabernacle Tent (Numbers 2:2). They had exited Egypt but had not yet entered the Promised lands. As Chuck Missler (khouse.org ) puts it, “…the lion, the man, the ox, and the eagle–are the same as the four faces of the living creatures” found in Revelation 4:6b-7. Each time we encounter a view of the throne of God, we notice these strange living creatures, somehow associated with the protection of His throne, His holiness, etc.

It would seem that the camp of Israel–with the tabernacle in the middle–is a model of the throne of God: His presence in the center, represented by the tabernacle, encircled by the four faces, all surrounded by His (authority).”

Chapter 5 is our turn at and in the corner-of-events as John records them; i.e. the Scroll and seven Seals. The scroll must be extensive as john makes sure to note that it is “with writing on both sides” (5:1; NIV); “inside and outside” as the King James Bible puts it. Each one of the seven seals on the scroll represents an event which unfolds beginning in chapter 6. We get to this discussion in our next article.

The question asked in 5:2b, “who is worthy to break the seals and open he scroll” is straight forward. What follows is sometimes missed in commentaries. It says in 5:3 that John saw that “no one” could open the scroll or even peak inside it yet. The KJV identifies this “no one” as no man, but the ERV, ESV and other translation put it, no one can open it. The verse then explains what is so often missed. “…(no one) in heaven, on earth, or under the earth…” Limiting this statement to man or mankind does not reflect well the Greek word oudeis. Thayer defines and translates oudeis as “NOTHING” can open it. This means angels fallen or still in heaven, Satan himself, man-made devices like computers or super chips, or molten lava under the earth. This is the power in this verse. The only option left standing is identified in v6 & 7; the Lamb (of God).

Why does the Bible identify Jesus as the Lamb of God? It is the sacrificial lamb God gave up (John 3:16) to pay the price of our sin. It isn’t a name as much as it is an action that happened at Calvary. God gave up his son as the sacrifice. Only one “thing” (the antithesis to NO-THING) can take on this role of opening the scroll; one seal at a time. He is the only one who paid the price of redemption; Jesus Christ.

calvary jesus, man bleeding, representation of passion

The Lamb of GOD

Look closely at verse 8; once Jesus (the he/Lamb of v6) took the scroll, the elders AND the four creatures fell (shachah) to the ground in worship of him. In short, everything and anything (see v13) recognized him who took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the heavenly throne. For those who desire a deeper education on this one word, Yochanan Zaqantov notes: “the word translated as Worship in the Tanakh is transliterated as shachah (shah-ghah) which is Shin-Chet-Hey.”

V4; chapter 5: One may wonder why John “.” Go back to my analogy of a highly anticipated vacation (paragraph 5). What a great disappointment it had to be to John to “get there” after being called only to find out that what he anticipated was not going to be revealed. His heart ached for it, but now….?

We too often discuss being politically correct today. Politically correct does not always mean “something is correct.” Well, read v9 and 10. Can we think of anyone left out? Yes! Only those who are purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ will reign. Those who reject this offer of eternal salvation will have eternity but at a different ranch.

Then, much to the relief of John (5:5) his anticipation is reassured by one of the 24 elders. What happens in v11 is nothing short of astounding. John “looked and heard” thousands and thousands of angels as they encircled the throne and gave out praise. It is almost like they now realized the time of the ‘end of time’ as we now know it is at the brink of past tense. They are total encouragement for the “Lamb” to take the scroll and release its contents.

Then it gets even better in v13; everything (ktisma)… “and I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” This means all H: KOL/G: PAS (3605 and 3956 in Strong’s dictionary); of creation; anything that was created. By this time Satan certainly knows it is all over but the reading of the credentials; i.e. God’s, not his. In human terms, it is a moment in Satan’s life that will be similar to that nanosecond one recognizes an eminent-imminent danger; the shock of being one step short of stepping into or onto “it” and leaning forward. This is why and when (my speculation; you decide) Satan now makes his bold moves. He realizes it is over so he attempts to destroy what remains of God’s creation; first by dominance, then by elimination.

V14: “The four living creatures said ‘Amen’.” Speculation on my part… they put their blessing on the seal of Satan, his minion(s), and his influence over earth and its occupants. So be it!

jStark3Drj; August, 2015

Christianity: One’s Reality or Actuality

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This is a tough article (blog) to write. It isn’t that I don’t know the answer to my own question, but that theory itself has been so entrenched with partial truth that “the truth, WHOLE TRUTH and nothing other than the truth” has been diluted to one’s reality and politically correct actuality. I fear many will someday stand before a judge and claim to have lived a politically correct social life, but by whose definition are they calling politically correct?

Perception Vs Reality Fact Fiction Proving Truth Versus MythThe hot topic today, but not the purpose of this blog is the bible and homosexuality. A reader recently wrote to me: “I threw out my bible.” I asked why? He stated, “It is full of lies and it doesn’t fit [my] reality.” Wow! Does he even have a clue? Reality is one’s perception; not necessarily actuality. There was a time when then modern science claimed the world was flat. That was their reality until some guy proved actuality… it is round. Let’s leave this paragraph with Adam and Eve (actuality); not Adam and Steve (perceived and preferred reality). You go figure.

The question is, “what is Christianity?” This is such a loosely used word it defies definition and is seen as religions that have multiple versions or guises of being Christian. Giving a single definition to or trying to lump one’s perception of what Christianity is into a finite statement is impossible; that is, as far as the world goes.

Let’s go back to some very basic precepts. In Islam there are two primary documents that define Islam and a Muslim’s way of life; the Koran (Quran) and the Hadith. The first is their written word of rules for life. The second is, as define by Wikipedia, “the collections of the reports purporting to quote what the Islamic prophet Muhammad said [and did in life] verbatim on any matter.” (emphasis mine)

Islam Explained in Layman’s Term

Here is a perspective by Dr. Peter Hammond, a former Muslim. Dr Hammond’s doctorate is in Theology.  He was born in Cape Town in 1960, grew up in Rhodesia and converted to Christianity in 1977.  Adapted from Dr. Peter Hammond’s book: Slavery, Terrorism and Islam:  The Historical Roots and Contemporary Threat:  Islam is not a religion, nor is it a cult. In its fullest form, it is a complete, total, 100% system of life. Islam has religious, legal, political, economic, social, and military components. The religious component is a beard for all of the other components.

The synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in the Holy Word of God (bible) are somewhat similar to what a Muslim calls the Hadith. The Gospels show and record what Jesus did while on earth and what he said. The difference is that the Gospels were written over 600 years before Mohammad was even born. This makes the bible actuality and Islam someone’s new reality; just a perception of what is the truth, whole truth and nothing but the truth. True Christianity, per living a life patterned after Jesus in the Gospels is the same thing… a way of life; not a religion or a cult. Anything less than a way of life is one’s preferred definition of a religion s/he wants to call Christianity.

This is why and where some confusion and modern day deception of end time comes in. The first Seal [beginning of End Time or end of time as we now understand it, described in Revelation is “a great deception” of mankind. If the world is allowed to (re) define what Christianity is or for all that matters, what so-called Christian religion is supposed to be is to ignore what Christ said and did as recorded in the Gospels. To ignore what Christ DID in life and what He taught is not an alternative option to actuality, but a position against Christ’s teachings. We are to live a life patterned after that of Christ. Islam claims that Muslims are to do the same thing but pattern it after Mohammed. That being true, he was as much a military man as a preacher of death to infidels (i.e. America in modern day terminology; anyone who is not a Muslim).

Many religions that identify, as often the world tries to re-identify as so-called Christian, (a very generic term in modern days) are anything but. True Christianity is a way of life, not a religion of on-again and off-again practice usually reserved for and limited to any given Sunday and being politically correct according to the rules of man. TV shows, as is in the news reports today are on the increase trying to point out the evils or misguided practices of “Christian churches and ministers; the extremist or inferred lunatic.” To the casual observer, this puts a brand on the Christian that is not actuality; it is their reality though. I taught a marketing principle in my college marketing classes that one’s perception is their reality even when that is not the facts of actuality. Therefore in the mind of someone with limited information, s/he takes it as actuality.” How wrong but s/he will then make a broad judgment based upon partial truth.

Bottom line: Is Christianity one’s perception of reality or one’s actuality in living? One’s answer to this is also the answer to his or her life in Christ and the promised eternity with God and Jesus Christ.

PS; Muslims practice their beliefs 7-days a week. This is precisely why they cannot and never will assimilate to any other way of living even at the cost of his or her life. It is their reality AND their actuality. The world and most religions simply don’t understand this. It is a way of, not an exception to one’s way of life. This is not negotiable. Neither is God’s actuality.

jStark3

Longing For That Day…

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Do you love someone so much that you never want to be apart? Do you have a heartheart to heart connection with someone?  Do you long to see their smile or feel their warm embrace? It’s a joy to hear them laugh and see him/her walk through the door!  The times you spend together are the Best moments of your life. When a person completes you and you complete him/her it is like heaven on earth. There is a longing to be with each other.

Can you imagine being with and loving someone for so long that it seems like forever? Then something happens that separates you. Each day you go through the motions, do your duties and even do them with joy but inside there is a longing for that day when you will be together again.

There is another One Who loves you like that and so much and more.

Jesus came to earth to do the will of His Father. He was with His Father since before the beginning of time. Imagine the physical torture, the mental anguish, and the rejection of men during the time He was on the Cross. He changed history and our destiny. For the first time ever, His Father had to turn His back on Him because all the sins of the world were placed on Him as He hung and died on the cross. Jesus, the perfect sacrifice for our sins – had to be separated from His Father. The pain and torture of death on the cross pales in comparison of that of being separated from the One Who loves him. But the Joy of obedience and making a Way for you to be saved was worth it all.

Hebrews 12:2-3 NASB who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jesus rose again on the 3rd day, redeem us from sin and is ALIVE now. Do you jesushugknow Jesus? Without Christ, you will never experience love like the love of GOD and His Presence. This I know, not just because my Bible tells me so… because I experience His love. When you choose to accept Jesus as your LORD and Savior you will know LOVE for yourself.  And One day we will be absent from our bodies and present with the LORD — no more longings.

http://peacewithgod.net

–McKee

 

Do You Know What You Are Holding?

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The Word of God is unparalleled when it comes to the written word. There havePaul Hoffmaster been many gifted writers throughout the ages, but there has never been a writer who can compare with the inspired Biblical scribes.  The Bible is not a collection of editorials but a recording of facts from the One who created all things.  Writing under divine inspiration, men recorded the Words of life that would be read from generation to generation.  The value of these collections of Divine writings is impossible to determine.  First Edition secular writings can bring astronomical numbers from collectors who desire their ownership.  The more popular the personality, the greater the price tags.  The Word of God…. priceless!

I wonder if we really understand what we are holding when we pick up the Holy Book.  To have the Word of God in our hands should bring us to our knees in humble adoration.  To let our fingers thumb through the pages should release all our emotions in praise and worship.  To read the words of the living God should bring rivers of water flowing from our eyes.  To experience the Bible as the personal Word of God should cause us to fall prone before Him in eternal gratitude.  To have the Word revealed to us through the Holy Spirit should lift us to heights unimaginable.

I am convinced that we know about the Bible, but many of us don’t know the Bible.  We seem to treat the Word of God as any other book.  Many Believers have several Bibles around the house, but very few open them on a daily basis.  Bibles become dust catchers, or have been shelved along with other books.  When the Bible is opened, it usually is a pew Bible during our Saturday/Sunday weekly obligation.  If we truly understood what the Bible is, we would have a hard time closing it.  As blood is important to our bodies, so is the Word of God to our spirits and minds.  Many of the problems we face in life are a result of “Biblical Anemia.”  Jesus came that we “might have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)  It would have been so exciting to have been alive during Jesus’ earthly ministry, but we have the next best thing – His autobiography!  After reading about His ministry, we are captivated by seeing how the Church had its beginning.  We open the letters from the Apostles which show us how to apply Jesus’ teachings.  Twenty-seven “little books” captivate our interests.  If we can tear ourselves away from the New Testament, there are thirty- nine more volumes that pertain to the history of God’s chosen people.  The Old Testament takes us on journeys that can only be expressed with wonderment.

We cannot run our car without fuel.  We cannot have lights without electricity.  We cannot be the people God wants us to be without His Word.  It is great to hear sermons and teachings by God’s messengers.  It is wonderful to read books that attempt to explain the Bible.  It is exciting to see spiritual filling stations scattered throughout the world.  It is thrilling to have the Internet carry all aspects of the Christian message. But nothing can compare with opening the Word of God ourselves and letting the Holy Spirit lead us through the pages of God’s revealed Truth.

After the two men encountered the resurrected Jesus on the road to Emmaus, they would say, “Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:32)  As we hold our Bibles in our hands, can we also say that our hearts are burning within us?

Crucifixion

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The Bible often mentions earthquakes. If they are so, they are also a matter of secular records making these Bible records the same history as found in secular records. This series is designed to explore secular history, archeological digs [discoveries] and scriptural records of Biblical Earthquakes. This series will end with an article or two  on End-Time earthquakes. This is article number three in the series.

Earthquakes of the Bible and Secular History Coincide; secular views fail; the crucifixion

Before anyone reads the following article, I caution those who want to jump at conclusions steeped in one’s “belief” that now is the time; the end of the earth as we know it. Half-truths have done much damage to our Christian-based evangelical society. We (me included) accept without challenge statements that support our beliefs or desires without checking the facts. The World Wide Web has been one of the best tools for sending out half-truths.
Example: When in 2011 quarterback Tim Tebow and the Broncos beat the Steelers in overtime, a playoff they statistically never should have even been one of the competing teams, all sorts of “posts” were put out on the WWW that glorified the the view it was a “God supported” win. Perhaps the Broncos simply outplayed the Steelers. But what happens when a post goes viral stating that “amazingly four of the seven officials on the field were Matthew, Mark, Luke and John”; all key authors of Books of the Bible? What happens when it isn’t the truth yet it is forwarded to tens of thousands? Yes, it undercuts the reliability of Christian truth.

This is why we are using this series on the earthquakes of the Bible and secular history. When both sides identify the same earthquake, there is little room for middle ground.

In 1931 A.D., there were about seismograph stations 350 stations operating in the world. Today, there are more that 4,000 stations and the data now comes in rapidly from these stations by telex, computer and satellite. This increase in the number of stations and the more timely receipt of data has allowed us and other seismological centers to locate many small earthquakes which were undetected in earlier years.

This is not to say that writers like Hal Lindsey, Tim LaHaye, Michael D. Evans, and Peter LaLonde, to mention but a few, point with some validity to the End Times being very close via reported earthquakes. This author maintains that we are concerned about the wrong thing. We should be less concerned about the earthquakes, the supposed increasing numbers and the horrendous damage such as in Japan just last year than a concern about the PEOPLE who died without Christ. None the less, let’s try to help those who think the Bible is *full of stories and that secular history is distinctly different and not full of stories; i.e. one is a story and the latter is history. We trust by pointing out that the Bible and secular records of a simple thing called earthquakes and huge storms are the same history recorded in the annuls of both scripture and secular history.

*Story (synonyms): tale, narrative, yarn, legend, fairy-tale, anecdote, rumor, report, hearsay, scoop, lie, fib, untruth, falsehood. These words all play a part in how the hearer of the Word and the world at-large can translate the facts of the Bible if we constantly call them “stories.” They are NOT STORIES! Bible events and history are facts that are often proven through science and secular histories.

One more word of caution and clarification for what too many pulpits, radio and television speakers point out as fact and it just isn’t so. We are often left with the impression that in scripture such as Matt. 24:7; Mark 13:8; Luke 21:11 that the natural destruction of end time earthquakes will be an INCREASE in numbers. Double check the facts… the word “increase” just isn’t there. Yes, the intensity may increase but we have no scriptural evidence that this will be a time when there is an increase in the number of earthquakes.

Matthew 24:7 (ESV) Nations will fight against other nations. Kingdoms will fight against other kingdoms. There will be times when there is no food for people to eat. And there will be earthquakes in different places.

Mark 13:8 (ESV) Nations will fight against other nations. Kingdoms will fight against other kingdoms. There will be times when there is no food for people to eat. And there will be earthquakes in different places.

Luke 21:11 There will be great earthquakes, sicknesses, and other bad things in many places. In some places there will be no food for the people to eat. Terrible things will happen, and amazing things will come from heaven to warn people.

Yes, the intensity of earthquakes may increase, and we do know from secular records that there is an increase in recorded and reported earthquakes (see paragraph 3 above) throughout the world, but the Bible simply does not say there will be an INCREASE in earthquakes. For the record, we checked the following interpretations of scripture to verify that the Bible does not say anything about an increase in the number of earthquakes:

King James; Lexham English Bible; Modern King James Version; Revised Version; Young’s Literal Translation of 1898; 1899 Douay-Rheims Bible; English Standard Version; American Standard Version; The Apostolic Bible Polyglot Greek… (I think the point is made).

Why is this important? Remember the example of Tim Tebow and the supposed Gospel-names of four officials in the playoff game? We as Christians need to get the facts correct or the world will use our misuse of them against us. The secular world holds us to a different standard. When they slip-up, it is simply dismissed. When Christians get the facts wrong, it is headlines on major communication networks and publications; not to mention the hey-day on the World Wide Web.

Article – the crucifixion and its earthquakeEarthquake

There is much evidence surrounding the earthquakes that occurred during the crucifixion of Jesus, His resurrection, and the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Quoting Jennifer Viegas of Discovery News:

To analyze earthquake activity in the region (Dead Sea), geologist Jefferson Williams of Supersonic Geophysical and colleagues Markus Schwab and Achim Brauer of the German Research Center for Geo-sciences studied three cores from the beach of the Ein Gedi Spa adjacent to the Dead Sea.

Varves, which are annual layers of deposition in the sediments, reveal that at least two major earthquakes affected the core: a widespread earthquake in *31 B.C. and a seismic event that happened sometime between the years *26 A.D. and 36 A.D. (see Science on NBCNEWS.com)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47555983/ns/technology_and_science-science/t/quake-reveals-day-jesus-crucifixion-researchers-believe/#.UK_DXvJDSSo

*These dates do not preclude that they could have occurred within hours or a few days of each other. The fact remains, there are secular geological records of two significant earthquakes surrounding the time of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
These dates also coincide well and are within the scripture records of two earthquakes that surround the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ: Matthew *27 & **28, Mark *15 & **16, Luke *23 & **24 (*the first chapter is the record of the crucifixion and the **second chapter in each book is the record of His resurrection). */**You can look these passages up in YOUR BIBLE.

Colin Humphreys, a British physicist, and Graeme Waddington , co-author and professor at Oxford University in the U.K., authored a paper that gives us some additional insight into the history surrounding these events.

• All four gospels and Tacitus in Annals (XV, 44) agree that the crucifixion occurred when Pontius Pilate was procurator of Judea from A.D. 26 to 36.

• All four gospels say the crucifixion occurred on a Friday.

• All four gospels agree that Jesus died a few hours before the beginning of the Jewish Sabbath (nightfall on a Friday).

• The synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) indicate that Jesus died before nightfall on the 14th day of Nisan, right before the start of the Passover meal.
This suggests that the events of the death and resurrection of Christ and the earthquake records strongly coincide. They both settle in and around the same time period in secular and Biblical history. It should be pointed out that this means one is not a story and the other is history. They are both records of the same history, at the same time in history, and founded on research.

Is this another coincident or aha bible moment (ahabiblemoments.com)? You decide, but consider this additional information. Titus and Flavius Josephus, 37 C.E. to 100 C.E. were either youthful eyewitnesses to these events or lived so close to the time of these events, they heard it from people who actually witnessed this demarcation in history and eternity.

Bonus aha moments… The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, penned sometime between 50 A.D. and 60 A.D., were written during the lifetime of secular historian Flavius Josephus and Emperor Titus (Titus Flavius Caesar Vespasianus Augustus). This mean they are contemporary with the penning of these Gospels.

Thallus, a Greek historian who wrote The Chronicle of the Olympiad and was anything but a supporter of Christianity. He writes in his 3-volume edition of the History of the Mediterranean World about the darkness at the time of the crucifixion. He identified it as a lunar eclipse. Problem? A lunar eclipse by scientific standards can only occur during the evening hours; the moon is opposite the sun in the solar system during daylight hours and the earth is directly between the sun and the moon.

Don’t confuse a lunar eclipse as a solar eclipse. A solar eclipse puts the moon between the earth and the sun. One might argue that Thallus was incorrect in his terminally. I guess that would take unfounded faith that Thallus didn’t understand science simply using the wrong name for the occurrence. (read the closing paraphaph)

Christ died during the afternoon hours. A solar eclipse takes an hour to happen and last but a few minutes. The darkness that fell over the earth at the time of the crucifixion lasted over three hours.

http://jesusevidences.com/datesntgospels.php

Another coincident? Possibly, but you decide. Study the Word of God and compare it to history, archeology, geology, and seismology for yourself. The proof is there, but http://bible.cc/romans/10-17.htm (the word “faith” in this click on link is pistis in the Greek. it translates “TRUTH”. Therefore truth itself is assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity)jStark3

 

What Is The Law Of Christ?

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Elegant woman baggageDo we have excess baggage in our lives? “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2). The obvious question from this verse is… What is the law of Christ?

First, law is instituted when common sense is uncommon and self is only self-centered. Law is enacted when guidelines do not or no longer serve their intended purpose. Law is specific and there is no gray area. A speed limit posted for 45 mile per hour is a specific maximum. Traveling 46 MPH is just as much a violation of this speed law as is 66 MPH. Both speeds violate the same law; just as scripture tell us that we if violate one of its laws we violate all of the laws. There is none perfect; no not one; Romans 3:10.

Jesus  assured us, “For the law was given through Moses; [but] grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). Paul told disciples, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing [i.e. fulfilling the law], it is the gift of God – not because of works[living within or following the law of Moses], lest any man should boast” (Eph. 2:8). The grace of God appeared, teaching us (Titus 2:11). The gospel is the message of grace to be believed for salvation (Mark 16:15). We are saved by grace; however, under Moses’ law men had also or included justification by law. There is a tendency for *disciples to seek righteousness through keeping of a supposed system of law also. They seemed, as many of us still do today, to forget that keeping the law still required a sacrifice for forgiveness.

Disciples: Mathetes (a learner), Matheteuo (a pupil, scholar), Mathetria (female learner).

1. CAN ONE BE SAVED BY WORKS OF THE LAW?

Paul gave a definite negative answer to this question. “For no human being will be justified in his (God’s) sight by works of the law, since through the law comes the knowledge of sin” (Rom. 2:20). “By works of the law shall no one be justified” (Gal. 2:16). “I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose” (Gal. 2:21). “Now it is evident that no man is justified before God by the law” (Gal. 3:11).

The law had a weakness: it required a penalty or cost for any violation; i.e. Click it or Ticket. It [the law] made nothing perfect (Heb 7:18). A person was/is required to keep all the law or be cursed (Gal. 3:10), and none could keep it all, so all had the sentence of death. We continue to deal out a “personal death penalty” when we continue to try ourselves for past sins for which we have sought forgiveness. This is Satan at work in our lives; telling us we are not truly forgiven.

Author’s note: When Satan tries to remind me of my past sins, I remind him of his future. When we violate a law, it remains on our book of life on earth. When God forgives us, it is no more held accountable to us as it would be under the law [see Hebrews 10:17]

Law has no power to save, only to judge, fine and punish. John assures us that all of us sin (1 John 1:8). James 2:10 adds, “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it”. If we keep 99% of the law but fail in the remaining one percent, what happens? We are back to zero! EXAMPLE: If we make 59 months worth of car payments out of 60 in the repayment coupon book we do not own the car, truck, motorcycle, or RV; the bank does. They are the ones who made the law and agreement to which we are obligated.

So if keeping most of the law won’t do it, what will?GRace It is all by grace! If one is to be saved, it must be totally by grace. One cannot be saved partly by law keeping and partly by grace. If grace saves only to the extent that one is able to keep law, then none can be saved. If one could keep all the law, he would need no grace. Our traditional challenge to others who fail to keep all the law, our perception of right and wrong, is “Try harder!” While giving lip-service to grace, we frustrate disciples [learners] by urging that they must attain it by keeping all the law – or earning a passing score, whatever that may be. The claim of justification by law keeping was “some other gospel” according to verse 6 in Galatians 1:6-9. Any effort to be justified by legal means is a falling away from grace (Gal 5:4). Grace is not a quality of law. They are at opposite ends of the continuum or spectrum.

Huge Caution: Don’t confuse God’s grace with an all loving God that will simply overlook everyone’s sins at the final judgment of mankind. Believing in God and accepting Jesus Christ as our master is not the same as believing that there is a God; .i.e. Yes, I believe that there is a God.

A New Testament legal system did not replace the one given in the Old Testament. The law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus. Grace and truth were not a system of law to replace the old one. God did not send another law, but He sent His Son in whom we may be justified. To those who are saved persons, Paul explained, “For *sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace” (Rom 6:14).
*Law of sin is judgment.

Justification apart from law is by grace, as is a free gift, to those who believe. Righteousness is not attained by rule keeping, but it is a free gift (Rom. 5:17). Galatians 3:23 through 4:7, shows us that faith has come, the law is no longer in charge and that God sent His Son instead of another legal step. Ours is a personal relationship in Him instead of a legal relationship. Christ fulfilled the law as in “completed” it. He didn’t add to it, rather he completed it; replaced it; finished it… a new covenant; a new commandment.

2. WHAT IS THE NATURE OF OUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD?

Proverbs 17:3 Fire (the law) tests the purity of silver and gold, but God (love) tests the intent of the heart.” The Spirit [not our personal efforts] makes us new creatures in Christ. “But now we are discharged from the law, dead to that which held us captive, so that we serve not under the old written code but in the new life of the Spirit” (Rom 7:6). This new relationship is accomplished through the new birth (John 3:3), by which we are all sons [children] of God through faith (Gal 3:26), and in which our life becomes hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). It is not a legal relationship, but a spiritual one. What Christ provided for us is not letter-of-the-law, but the spirit-of-the-law of relationship (Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpens iron as one man does the countenance off another”).

We enter into a covenant relationship. God made a covenant with Abraham and sealed it by circumcision (Gen. 17:9; a practice expressly intended for the Israelite sons and descendants of Jacob). Later the law was given to guide the covenant people (Deut. 4:4).

The new covenant is sealed in us by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13). This is done when we receive the Spirit at the time of our obedience to the gospel; the other teachings are given to guide those in covenant relationship. God’s covenant with the people of Israel through Abraham is not always applicable to the Gentile (Greek) born again believer of New Testament times.

The new covenant is not a written code of conduct. Paul wrote that God “has qualified us to be ministers of a new covenant, not in a written code but in the Spirit; for the written code judges, but the Spirit gives life” (2 Cor. 3:6). Hebrews 8:7-8 further emphasizes that the new covenant would not be like the old one. His law [The Law of Christ] is to be written on our hearts.

How can law be written on our hearts if we are not under law? To say that we are not under law is not to say that we are not under the lordship of Christ and the sovereignty of God. Law has a range of meanings. Law may be a legal system which demands perfect obedience. Law also can be a principle of action. We are justified through the principle of grace through faith (Eph. 2:8; Rom. 3:27; 8:1). That grace activates our love. Jesus Christ came to fulfill; i.e. complete the law therefore the law of Christ (fulfilled) is to love HIM with all your heart, might, mind and living moments. The second is like unto the first, love your neighbor as yourself. THIS IS THE LAW OF CHRIST.

3. WHAT IS THE NEW COVENANT RULE OF ACTION?

It is love which God in His grace infuses into our hearts. “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us” (Rom 5:5). “We love, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). God initiates the principle of loving action, writing His law, the Law of Christ, upon our hearts. This however does not negate tough love. Fact being it demonstrates true love.

The love which He has created in us is the master key to unlock the chain of any other law. “Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. Any other commandment is summed up in this sentence, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the *law” (Rom. 13:8). *Law of Jesus Christ.

Paul emphasizes this again in Galatians 5:13: “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but, through love, be you servants of one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one short phrase: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'” What greater and more comprehensive law – principle of action – could we want?

How would a listing of authoritative demands help a person show love? In America we have a law forbidding discrimination and prejudice. Does this law therefore supersede our personal feelings? Do we now have no personal prejudices or discriminatory senses or urges? The answer is obviously NO! A law cannot change my heart, feelings, or intensity.

In tennis is is “the accepted practice” to sit on the sidelines as an observer but one is not supposed to jump up and down as one might at a football game. However, when my granddaughter plays tennis, the thrill of a good serve or counter-serve is too much for me to contain and it simply GETS OUT as an emotion. My celebration outburst is the intent of my heart (kavanah in Hebrew). God looks at the intent of our heart. Not if we can sit quietly on the sidelines only clapping when appropriate. Think about this in our worship services too. We often restrict outbursts of CELEBRATION and mumble an occasional amen. Why do we do that?

God’s law directs us into a right relationship with Him and man through His son Jesus Christ. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart with all your soul and with your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets” (Matt. 22:37). This is the Law of Christ; the one He came to fulfill. A law can set up standards within we must operate but they cannot CONVINCE us or the correctness of that law. It is external to us; not written on our heart.

All through the ages, God was trying to help us simply to love Him and one another. Man has tried consistently to include lawful requirements, but God sent Christ to fulfill it; complete it; finish its requirement. Men argue, fight, and divide over lawful interpretations and thereby defeat the love into which God was directing. “For in Christ Jesus [the doctrine of] neither circumcision nor un-circumcision (legal hair-splitting) is of any avail, but faith working through love” (Gal 5:6).

As [New Testament] covenant people, we are guided by principle, not justified by them. When we sin; i.e. step outside of love, as Christians, we depend upon God’s grace for our forgiveness rather than obeying more laws (1 John 1:5-10; 2:1-6). This is often the divider within denominations. One can’t associate with the other because they don’t fit the [laws] doctrines of a particular denomination/religion. Tell me how this lines up with the Law of Christ?

“How can we who died to sin still live in it?” (Rom. 6:1). Paul warns against abuse of our freedom, then cautions, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and do not gratify [center on] the desires [lusts] of the flesh” (Gal. 5:13-16).

4. WHAT IS THE LAW OF CHRIST?

Some would contend that the entirety of the New Testament writing is the law of Christ. The law of Christ is not a book, a listing, or a code of laws. Where is such a catalog of laws to be found? The Jews had/have 613 laws in their legal code; Halakha served many Jewish communities as an enforceable avenue of civil and religious law. How many laws has Christ given us? Since we are to keep the law of Christ, surely someone has counted and listed those laws so we should have a check-list, right? Where is it?

Christ’s law is love; yet He gives us commands, examples, exhortations, warnings, and principles as guidelines for the expression of love… Galatians 5:6

Christ’s law is love. His laws (plural) are (1) love God and (2) love man. Love is the new commandment (John 13:34) which John’s readers had heard from the beginning of their discipleship (1 John 2:7). “And now I beg you not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have heard from the beginning, that we love one another. And this is love, that we follow his commandments; this is the commandment, as you have heard from the beginning, that you follow love” (2 John 5).

This takes us back to Galatians 6:2 “And this commandment we have heard from him, that he who loves God should love his brother also” (1 John 4:21) is a re-emphasis of the first and second commandments. Love is the royal, kingly law (James 2:8).

JIV: Works demonstrates our love of Christ and fellow brothers and sisters. We take responsibility and demonstrate it by our “works.” Might it be bold to suggest that these works also mean that we as born again believers demonstrate or work via the use of our Spiritual Gifts within the local church, albeit, the Kingdom of God? [JIV: DrJ’s Introspective View]

Expressed love fulfills the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2). Love is the perfect law, the law of liberty (James 1:25, 2:12) – liberty from a judgmental legal code and efforts for legal justification or even litigation. It is the Golden Rule (Matt. 7:12), that ageless law which conveys the intent and message of the law and the prophets.

How beautiful this is! God initiates the response of love: “We [know how to] love, because he first [showed us how he] loved us.” He begins the working of His law by writing them in our hearts. He wants us to express it. His directives guide us in expressing it: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). So, our expressions of love becomes God’s expressions of love through us (Ephesians 5: us being the reflected light), “For this is the love of God that we keep his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3). No burden! “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. Fear has to do with punishment, and he who fears is not perfected in love” (1 John 4:18).

CONCLUSION:

We are justified by grace through faith in obeying the gospel. Efforts to be justified by law would nullify the grace of Christ. Our response to God’s grace is the love which God initiates in us. The New Testament writings guide our love into proper expression. This includes how we forgive ourselves once we take a burden or violation of his commandments to him. If we continue to hang ourselves for a sin forgiven, we are followers of the *law, not grace; i.e. we dupe ourselves into believing that the violation is written on a book somewhere so though forgiven, it can and will not be es-ponged from our record.

*”Now therefore why do you make trial of God by putting a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear?” (Acts 15:10).jStark3

 

Egypt? Yemen? Tsunamis? Libya?

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What in the world is going on?

What in the world is going on? Is this a sudden drive for nationalism and democracy in these Arab worlds’ or is there something more sinister? Is it in scripture? Did God warn or try to alert us to such happenings? As Christians we are not to be negative, add to the fire and fear or be personally fearful regardless of whatever is going on. At the same time, we need to be alert and prepared. Let me explain.

Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21 are parallel chapters. These three different books discuss the same topics; Jesus’ teachings and prophesies, AND, end times. This is not a time or place for discussing doctrine such as pre, post, mid, or “a [non]” anything. However, the Bible does tell us to be alert and the signs of end times will be as obvious as are the seasons. Alert to what?

Disclaimer: All three of these “synoptic” books in the New Testament attest to Jesus’ insights as he teaches one last time prior to his crucifixion. This time is referred to as the Sermon on the Mount [of Olives]. He answers questions posed to him by his disciples on issues of prophecy. Good men today disagree as to the timing of events on this earth, mankind and end times, but the fact remains, Jesus states emphatically that these end times will come. Believers will disappear from the face of the earth, chaos will result, and the people remaining on earth will try to return to a normal life; but it won’t happen!

Every serious student of prophecy is typically able to defend or make a strong case for his or her particular view of the sequence of end times, but once again… well, let’s look at it from The Book of Luke. Luke 21:7-8 states, “Teacher, when will these things happen? What will be the sign that they are about to take place.” Jesus is quick to reply and rather than directly answer the questions of his disciples he offers a caution: “Watch out that you are not deceived. Many men will come in my name claiming ‘I am he.’” [When this happens] “The time is near. Do not follow them.”

His answer is in contrast to being direct. Jesus gives us a strong clue as to what will be going on around us at the time we “draw near” to the end times. “Watch out…” But, he doesn’t stop here. The contrast to a direct answer to the disciples’ questions is Matthew 24:36 and Mark 13:32; only the Father knows when.

This does not change the fact that events will happen to give us clues as to when the end time is drawing very near. Jesus says these things MUST HAPPEN; Luke 21:9b. But the first part of this verse is what we as Christians can universally hang our hat on; “When you hear of *wars and revolutions, do not be **frightened.” As a theologian and researcher I find the word “fright or frightened” interesting. In the King James we find the phrase “fear not” 74 times and “be not afraid” 46 times. In the Greek it can mean to “cause one to fall.” To fall? Might this relate to being faint or weak-hearted? You decide but don‘t dismiss it. It is a caution from Jesus himself.

*Wars [Greek: polemos] a single or multiple conflicts; upheavals; revolts.
** Frightened [Greek: ptoeho] to draw back as when one is frightened; cause one to fall

This is very assuring when we read Luke 21:14a; “make up your mind (when? NOW!) not to worry.”

Luke 21:25 states, “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.” This isn’t intended to drive you to the Weather Channel but it is a thought. Jesus is again the author of these words. Different translations say it a multiple number of ways but all come to the same conclusion; something is or will be quite wrong and unusual.

It is particularly fascinating to read the next two verses in Luke 21; [v26] “Men will faint in terror, apprehension of what is coming of this world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.” [v27] “AT THAT TIME they will see the Son of Man coming” [where?] “in the clouds.” Nothing is stated here that Christ will plant His feet on earth… “they will see” [Greek: optanomai] as in gaze in awe with wide open eyes. Who is ‘they?’ From my best guess [J.I.V.] it is those who did not either expect or believe in Jesus Christ, or his return.

It isn’t the purpose or intent of this article to “preach” or teach a certain doctrine. It is to point out that Jesus himself said in Luke 21:34-35 “Be careful or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and anxieties of life. That day (end times or Christ’s coming?) will close on you like a trap. Be always on the watch, and pray that YOU MAY BE ABLE TO ESCAPE ALL THAT IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN.”

Perhaps this last statement in verse 36 is why Jesus prefaced his answer to the disciples’ questions with Luke 21:9 “When you hear of wars and revolutions, signs in the sun, moon and stars. These things must happen first.” This doesn’t in any way mean to gather in some jungle in South America or some mountain top and wait. Jesus does say at the end of verse 9 “…but the end will not come right away.”

Now you know the Rest of this Bible story as it regards these rumors of wars, unrest and anxieties in this world. You decide. But before you do, read  1 John 4:1-3 and Matthew 24:25-27.

jStark3=Dr. J